A good idea alone isn't enough for a successful startup. It also requires skill and personality. Master craftsmen and women bring both to the table. (Photo: © Galina Peshkova/123RF.com)
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August 23, 2022
Starting a business in the skilled trades also requires soft skills. Master craftsmen and women, in particular, are good at assessing their strengths and weaknesses, says Britta Schulz, department head at the Münster Chamber of Crafts and Trades. This is another reason why starting a business in the skilled trades is very easy to plan.
Personality plays a key role in business start-up advice at the Chambers of Skilled Crafts. Britta Schulz, department head and business management consultant at the Münster Chamber of Skilled Crafts, says that founders who have completed master craftsman training courses are particularly adept at assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
Starting a business in the skilled trades: A question of personality? What makes people who become self-employed tick, and what distinguishes tradespeople from entrepreneurs in other sectors? A new study by the ifh Göttingen provides fascinating insights into the personalities of tradespeople . This is also relevant for those who are still hesitant about taking the plunge and starting their own business. We spoke with Dr. Jörg Thomä, one of the study's authors. ➨➨ Read more
DHB: What characteristics do you particularly notice about the personality of entrepreneurs in the skilled trades?
Schulz: The primary motivation of entrepreneurs in the skilled trades is almost always self-realization. They want to make their own decisions and shape things, to do things themselves. Personal autonomy is extremely important to them. It's not primarily about money or power. I notice this again and again.
DHB: According to the ifh study, entrepreneurs in the skilled trades are particularly extroverted...
Schulz: This is certainly also due to the fact that many trades in the skilled trades involve working in teams. Be it in an assembly group or a work group within a company. You have to get along well with others. In addition, self-employed tradespeople have to be able to work well with customers, with other tradespeople, with bankers or tax advisors. For this you need networks. Extroversion is helpful here. But there are also introverted types in the skilled trades who, thanks to their calm manner, are well received by customers. So, of course, introverted people can also become self-employed in the skilled trades. It always depends on what you do and for what purpose. I have the impression that those who come from master craftsman schools have a very clear idea of where their strengths lie and where they might need help. Incidentally, a lot of networks are already formed at master craftsman schools.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
DHB: And what role does personality play in your daily work as a consultant?
Schulz: We address this topic at information events and also in one-on-one consultations. For example, we discuss how a certain amount of passion can be helpful when starting a business, as it allows you to inspire customers with persuasiveness. We also point out that initiative and curiosity play an important role. In start-up consultations, we get to know the individual better and discuss their strengths and where support from service providers or your own employees might be useful.
DHB: According to the ifh study, founders in the skilled trades are less willing to take risks than startups. Have you also observed this?
Schulz: Anyone who starts their own business in the skilled trades is willing to take a certain amount of risk. Depending on the industry, this also requires a high level of investment. But in my experience, skilled tradespeople have a very good overview of what they need and whether it's worthwhile. In a startup, the founder often has an idea but doesn't know how it will be received in the market. These founders are more focused on making money. Therefore, I completely agree with the study.
DHB: You often consult with people with a migrant background or students who are still hesitant about whether self-employment in a skilled trade is the right thing for them. Or women who tend to be risk-averse. What do you say to them?
Schulz: I think the advantage of starting a business in the skilled trades is that it's so easy to plan. You can usually calculate very accurately what investment you'll need, what revenue you're likely to achieve, and what the prospects are. Therefore, skilled trades are a very good sector for becoming self-employed. Many skilled tradespeople prepare specifically for this during their training. Many attend master craftsman training school with the goal of becoming self-employed one day. So, as described in the study, they're very conscientious. This provides them with a good foundation for self-employment.
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